7th Eleint

The next morning Milla and Garacaius had fully recovered from the stirge attacks. Matilda advised Milla that if it was arms or armour she wanted, Ugo Trollslayer was her best bet, but for general goods Geraldo at Miners Provisions had a wide range.

Magrit and Samual arrived and announced they were headed to the Council House to report on the happenings at Forkbeard's Ranch. They asked if anyone would join them and Thomas said he would, would anyone else?

Garacaius rise from his table and approach them,

"I'd very much like to come along, I have the journal as evidence in Forkbeard's evil doings as well, if the guard would arrest us. I'm in full health and have all the supplies I need."

With no more words needed to be spoken Garacaius joined the little group and looked at the rest of the party for anyone willing to follow.

[This message has been edited by Lokken (edited September 13, 2001).]

"I have some business to take care of, but this clearly takes precedence. I will of course join you as well"

Milla, having finished her breakfast, rises from the table and joins the group by the door.

"Grog come say he fight bad women, bad women hurt Grog and him *points to Garacius* and ugly man with mace try killing Grog"

They went to the Council House and came before Deputy speaker Jygil Zelnatha, one time high priestess of Waukeen. She listened to their stories and read the journal Garacaius showed.
"There were those of us who had our doubts about the Baron. To lose one wife is unfortunate, to lose 4 is downright careless. I will send a detachment of riders to investigate the ranch. If they find things as you describe then you deserve the thanks of Nesme. We welcome resourceful adventureres like yourselves, indeed there is a commission you may be interested in."

"I'm mostly glad this is over with, I don't like being around undead. But speak please, we might be able to help you, I assume it's about the barbarian raids?"

Garacaius coughs and proceeds

"Will Magrit be the new owner of the estate then?"

"There is no doubt about the validity of Magrit's marriage, I myself attended the ceremony. Once the Baron is certified dead and our investigations are complete the Estate will revert to her. This may take a tenday.
As to the other matter, it may relate to barbarians but I doubt it. There has been no word from the Dwarves at the Lucky Axe Mine for over a month. Normaly one of their number returns to town for supplies every tenday or so. I would appreciate it if you could check and see if everything is well. Ugo Trollslayer is a cousin of one of the miners, he may be able to tell you more."

"Hmm... would be there be some sort of reward of this task? The promise of gold might easier turn my comrades attention to the course. I will let you know as soon as the party has reached a decision, and Ugo you say, I think I will have to talk to him as well. Thank you my Lady."

"Oh, I almost forgot. Here are some keys to the place. Maybe there's a key to the gate as well, we never bothered to find out."
Milla hands over the keys to Jygil Zelnatha.

As they walk out of Council House Milla just remembers something.
"Garacaius, since you're one of those magic-thingie-guys maybe you should check this mace that the baron dropped. You know just in case?"
Milla takes out the mace and tries to determine the quality. (being a complete novice in those kind of things..)

Jakob sees the party walking out of the council house and slaps his forehead. "G'ah!" He exclaims, " I guess it's too late now to petition for the farmhands to get their back pay. I suppose that's in Magrit's hands now!"

"Fear not, Master Jakob. I will make the welfare of the farmhands and the horses my priorities as and when I am granted title over the Ranch. And the previous wives shall be given proper burial in hallowed ground." said Magrit.
The Baron's mace radiated no dweomer, but it was exceptionaly well made and balanced and constructed of fine materials.

"Grog get payed now?" *He looks hopeful*

"Hmm... This is skillful craft indeed Milla, made by a master craftsman I presume, this kind of weapon does not come cheap. It might not be magical, but perhaps in the future I will be able to imbue it with magic powers."

Garacaius hands the mace back to Milla after scrutinizing it, and starts walking toward Ugo Trollslayer's.

Dwarven miners, why, oh why am I leading myself into this. I couldn't care less for a bunch of dwarves, though these folks seem purer of heart than the townspeople in Silverymoon. Hmm... I wonder if we have seen the last of that drow, the fallen ones...

While entering the shop, Garacaius' mind returns to his current whereabouts and he looks around, trying to determine what sort of fella this Ugo is.

Entering Ugos shop together with Garacaius they find themselves facing Ugo himself.

Milla starts speaking dwarven:
"Well met, friend of the mountains. We have just come from the Deputy speaker Jygil Zelnatha who has told us of her concern for the dwarves at Lucky Axe Mine. She has asked us if me and my friends could investigate things. Can you tell us anything about the circumstances?"

Ugo's face darkened: "Welcome, tall one. Yes, the last time I saw young Bombas was midsummer eve, which is most unusual. He's usually popping back into town for supplies every tenday or so. Why, it was one o' my pickaxes that made the lucky Chardalyn strike."

Milla continues:
"I see, it's seems that there is some reason for concern here. What can you tell me about the mine? Is it far away? How many work there? How would we find our way there?"

"How far? About a day's march, north of the Surbrin, in some cliffs. I can draw you a map. There's usually a dozen dwarves at work there." Ugo replied.

"Fine, we will get back to you"

Before leaving the shop Milla takes the opportunity to buy 20 xbow bolts. She also asks Ugo what the mace might be worth (she is not prepared to sell just yet).

Heading back to the inn Milla stops at Geraldos 'Miners Provisions' to try to sell off the perfume and to buy 4 trail rations.

Ugo offered Milla 155 gp for the mace, the bolts cost 2gp. She got 90gp for the perfume from Geraldo, the rations cost 2gp.

Sat nite online;
Grog entered Ugo's, followed by Majikus, just as Milla was leaving. He sold the gold wire, shield, warhammer, shortsword and crossbows and bought a longbow and arrows. Ugo showed him a craftsman made Greataxe which made his mouth water. Ugo told him it was his for 100gp IF he brought cousin Bombas back safe from the mine.

Grog and Majikus then went over to the Temple district to see if he could get anything for the wooden leg and empty potion bottle. Dranby, the apothecary, gave him 1sp for the bottle but could not help with the leg. While negotiating, Grog had his purse cut by Rannos, one of the temple gang of thieves. He felt nothing, nor did he when another thief took his greataxe.

However he did notice the thief with the axe and said "Grog have axe just like that see?" then was surprised to find he didn't have an axe. Slowly the cogs of Grogs mind whirred, helped by Dranby miming the stealing of the axe. "You got Grog's axe?" he accused. Figuring they weren't going to bluff their way out the thieves struck. Majikus loosed off a couple of magic missiles and in the ensuing melee both he, Grog and one of the thieves fell. Dranby had taxen a potion of invisibility and slipped Grog a healing potion before going outside to call for the Watch. As Rannos was about to slit Grog's throat a Watchman arrived and engaged him. A third thief joined the fray as Grog and Majikus slipped deeper into a coma. Majikus's cat, Hook, leapt on Rannos scratching and biting enough to allow the Watchman to gain the upper hand, despite being attacked on two sides. A second watchman arrived and the third thief fled.
Dranby revived Grog and Majikus with potions, then presented them with a 'medical' bill for 100gp. Grog slew one of the thieves before the Watchman could stop him. The unconcious Rannos was taken away for questioning. Grog continued on his way, looking for more healing and Magrit.

150 xp each for Grog and Majikus. The thief had 35gp, leather armour, shortsword, shortbow and 40 arrows.

Majikus rubs his head and pays Dranby the bill...

"Thankyou for reviving me my friend..." Majikus looks back down at his remaing 7 gold pieces and fistfull of silver and copper coins and groans..."Man! I'm now nearly begging!"

Majikus trumbles after Grog with Hook at his side. As they are walking behind Grog, Majikus tosses a few bits of meat which Hook consumes and then asks "So, where are we off to now my friend?"

EDIT: Just so that i don't forget and keep having to add, currently i have 670xp.

"Grog, also before answerin my first question, how shall we share the treasures?"

[This message has been edited by Sniper (edited September 16, 2001).]

Jolly Jack came up to Garacaius: "Ah, there you are, been looking all over. The Cormarant's ship shape now and we set sail at noon, spread the word. Oh, and I had word about your other friends, Mr Pimm and all. It seems they are fine, working for a Lord Julian or some such. Last heard of heading east."

OoC I don't believe Majikus has 100gp, don't forget Hook 'cost' 100gp.

[This message has been edited by Erran (edited September 17, 2001).]

Garacaius smiled at the good news: "Wonderful news my friend, now I just hope this Lord whoever is not of evil decieving nature. I'm not sure we are going to follow the same paths no more Jack, I will ask around and see if who's coming or not. I'll inform you before you depart."

Garacaius leaves Jolly Jack and walks back to the inn, where he finds Milla.

"Hey there, I meet Jack from the boat and he's leaving at noon, I was wondering if we should stay and try to solve this "problem" in town, we might as well get horses for transport from Magrit. What do you think?... and do you know where Jakob went?"

"Well I tell you what, Mr Garacaius. Seeing as how you and your friends were so helpfull during that little run-in with the Barbarians, your credit's good with Jolly Jack. Anytime you want to make that Yartar trip just look me up. The Cormarant's usually through here around the 6th of every month."

"Little one do it, Grog no know how" *He replies after helping to pay the medical bill (most of it - he had over 70 gp)*

Having spent the night and a good part of the next day discussing spiritual issues with the old priest of Corellon, Sarathien finally makes his way back to the "Five Crowns". Seeing Garacaius and Milla he walks over.

"I hope the meeting with the council had a favorable outcome, I regret not being there to testify."
"So what happens now, if I may ask? I wish to get out of this town, spending too much time in such an environment tends to make you...well, civilized", he says with a grin. "If you are thinking of leaving, would you consider an extra companion, one skilled at life in the outdoors? I would be glad to accompany you."

"Ofcourse Sarathien, welcome, we could always need an extra swordarm by our side, or at least, I could. As for how meeting the coucil went, well, we might have some more business to attend to, some miners have not resupplied for quite an alarming amount of time and they asked us if we wish to look into the reasons behind."

OoC: D'oh! sorry 'bout that one



[This message has been edited by Lokken (edited September 17, 2001).]

Thinking about Garacaius words Milla answers:
"I've always had a soft streak for dwarves and am inclined to helping Ugo out here. And we can always take a later trip with Jack since he is sailing there on regular basis. We need to hear what the others opinion is however, do you know where they are?"


Ooc. Lokken, it's Sarathien not Vanadin

Ooc: Oh yeah i forgot about that! Okay then Erran, how much is that gold ring that i got off the baron worth? Whatever its value i pay that to the priest bloke as the first instalment.

Jakob wanders around a corner, seemingly distracted. He almost passes the party before he notices his friends. "Oh, ah - hmm. There you are. I must have, um, fallen behind and got lost. Went and bought myself 20 Bolts from Ugo, who said he'd seen you Still," He grinned, " I've caught up with you bunch now. What's been going on, heard something about problems at the mines from Ugo and I trust we're not abandoning our bearded cousins. Oh, and Milla, I hope you got a good price for these rare perfumes."

Garacaius rolls his eyes at all the dwarven sympathy nonsense, but tries to keep a civil manner.

"Well, I guess we are staying then. Hmm, not that I mind that much, I just don't like dwarves, don't speak their language either. Anyways there might be gold to find, and if we get some of the horses that Magrit told us we could get, it shouldn't be a problem."

Garacaius rises from his table: "Well, I told Jack I would notify him if we're coming or not, and I'd like to give the chap a straight answer. I will see you in a short time"

Garacaius walks out of the inn, and down to the boat to tell Jack that he doesn't have to wait for them.

[This message has been edited by Lokken (edited September 18, 2001).]

Milla turns to Jakob.
"Oh, hey Jakob. They were not as rare as you thought but I still got 90gp for them. Also Ugo was prepared to pay 155gp for the mace but I haven't decided to sell it yet, what do you think?"

"Should we split the money right away or keep some collective?"

"By the way how much did we get for the gold wire?"

Checking the gold ring with a local jeweller Majikus was offered 10gp for it.

Jolly Jack thanked Garacaius for the update, slipped off the moorings and headed down the Surbrin to Yartar.

Thomas heard that the third member of thr 'Temple Gang' had been arrested by the watch.

Garacaius wished Jolly Jack happy travelling and went back to the inn. On the way he stopped at Geraldos to buy 3 days worth of trail rations.

You never know when you get to the next place with food available..He thought to himself

Wed nite online:
Garacaius, Milla and Sarathien resolved to solve the mine mystery. They left a note for the others then set off.
Leaving Nesme they headed north. The lush grasslands gave way to heath and scrub. Sarathien shot a pheasant so they would sup well that eve. They passed the bleached bones of some cattle. Majikus and Jakob read the note and hurried to catch up.
They made camp in a shallow depresssion and cooked the pheasant over the campfire. During the night their rest was disturbed by howls, no ordinary wolf, thought Sarathien.
As the party formed a circle round the embers of the campfire, the balefull yellow eyes of a hungry Worg observed them. It charged what it thoght would be the easiest target, Milla. Its powefull jaws seized her leg and brought her down. Majikus and Garacaius fired magic missiles and the others used the conventional kind. Milla struggled to her feet and landed a couple of blows which partially winded the creature. She dodged its next attack but Sarathien was less lucky, getting bitten on his arm as he tried to reload. Jakob took steady aim and his bolt hit a vital spot in the Worg's jugular, spreading blood around but felling the dire creature.

150 xps for Sarathien
120xps each for Garacaius, Jakob, Majikus and Milla.

contd in Lucky Axe Mine